WHILE most cities held their inauguration ceremonies before July 1, Mayor Evelio “Bing” Leonardia decided to hold the rites for the City of Bacolod on July 6 at the Bacolod Government Center.
The city’s top three officials were sworn in by three senators – Mayor Evelio Leonardia before Manny Pacquiao, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran before Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, and Representative Greg Gasataya before Senate President Franklin Drilon.
Drilon, an Ilonggo senator coming from the neighboring Iloilo City, said this is a “new dawn in Bacolod” because for the first time in many years, it has a united political leadership, with the mayor, vice mayor, congressman and majority of the City Council belonging to the same political party – the Grupo Progreso.
A united political leadership is the key to why Iloilo City’s development was able to move faster than Bacolod, he said.
He added that he is also willing to sit down and assist Bacolod to “do what we did in Iloilo in developing our old airport site.”
For Pimentel, Bacolod is now considered the land of opportunity because of its booming economic growth, noting that under Leonardia's watch, Bacolod was voted the “Best Place to Live in the Philippines” in 2008.
Already the longest-serving mayor after four terms, this new mandate is Leonardia’s fifth term.
Pacquiao, an “adopted son of Bacolod,” said he joined the inaugural rites to show his love and support for Leonardia who has been his “kumpare” and friend both in hard times and in good times.
Leonardia had carried the champion’s belt and the Philippine flag in most of Pacquiao’s fight. He is also godfather to two of Pacquiao’s children – Queenie and Israel.
Ten of the 12 members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod were sworn in by Regional Trial Court Branch 51 Executive Judge Anita Chua, including Grupo Progreso’s Ricardo Tan, Caesar Distrito, Cindy Rojas, Renecito Novero, Em Ang, Elmer Sy, Dindo Ramos and Bart Orola, and Pamilya MKK’s Ana Marie Palermo and Sonya Verdeflor.
In his inaugural speech, Leonardia said the new set of city officials have committed to work together to put Bacolod City back on track.
“The result of the 2016 elections was a message from our people. And they are telling us that we must work together,” Leonardia said.
Congratulations to all!